Racing Panel Off And Running

Commission Readies Track Rules

RICHMOND — The rules for pari-mutuel horse racing should be ready by the fall, according to a timetable set at the first meeting of the state racing commission Wednesday.

The Virginia Racing Commission - meeting Wednesday for the first time with its executive secretary, Donald R. Price - will spend the coming months ironing out regulations for a variety of track concerns, including background checks for track operators, fees those operators would have to pay and drug testing for participants.

Commission members said at the meeting that they have a few areas that still need to be explored, including how to handle one-day charity races such as Camptown Races in Hanover County, and what to do about off-track betting and simultaneous broadcasts of races, which would allow betting in areas away from the tracks.

Price, who was director of Minnesota's racing commission before taking the Virginia job July 17, said forming the regulations is his top priority.

"I would like to see a racetrack established as soon as possible," he told the commission.

Commission Chairman John Shenenfield said that it could be the summer of 1991 before Virginians are able to place a bet at a track. It will take that long because the commission needs time to establish guidelines and then must review any applications that come in.

Those tasks could take longer to complete, he added. "I think that's pretty optimistic."

New Kent County Administrator H. Garrett Hart III attended the commission's meeting. He said the county is developing its own regulations for a racetrack now that its voters have approved a referendum to allow one. He said Wednesday that he plans to work closely with the racing commission to ensure that New Kent is the first location for a track.

New Kent voters were the first in the state to approve the referendum required by state law before a track can be built. Several other jurisdictions across the state, including Gloucester, have also expressed an interest in attracting a track.

"We want to take advantage of our lead," Hart said.

Hart said he will work with Price to ensure that New Kent's regulations are compatible with state guidelines.

Hart told the commission that potential track developers have not been "storming our door" since the referendum was approved July 18. The developers are having their own feasibility studies done before choosing a site, he said.

New Kent officials are putting together a marketing plan for the track site. Legal, planning and zoning officials are working on the regulations, Hart said after the meeting.

New Kent and other localities have pursued racetrack development primarily because of the economic benefit many believe a track would bring, including support industries, new jobs and millions of new tax dollars.

New Kent officials estimated that a racing facility that costs between $60 million and $80 million to build would generate $1 million in taxes annually and provide 600 jobs.